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Former Watford striker Troy Deeney has once again criticized Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong.
The Englishman labeled the Nigerian as ‘insecure’ following the defender’s reaction to Deeney’s earlier comments regarding his leadership style.
Deeney, a former captain of Watford, recently targeted the Super Eagles skipper after Nigerian players went on strike prior to their 4-1 victory over Gabon. The strike aimed to pressure the Nigeria Football Federation into paying the players’ bonuses.
In response to the criticism, Troost-Ekong requested that the former Premier League star return the Nigerian shirt he had given him during their time together at Watford. He accused Deeney of being disrespectful by addressing the media instead of reaching out to him directly.
Deeney has maintained that Troost-Ekong is overreacting and stated that he owes no apology for his remarks.
“What did I say that’s not respectful? I said exactly what he is; he is a good kid,” he told talkSPORT. “He gave me a shirt, yes, I collect shirts.”
He stood by his initial critique, asserting that Troost-Ekong is too soft to serve as a national team captain.
“You know what happens when someone tells the truth; it hurts,” he added.
“So, if I offended you, Will, deal with it. Will, I know you, and if I was remotely disrespectful, I would handle it the right way.”
Deeney, who never earned a cap for the England national team despite his achievements with Watford, suggested that Troost-Ekong’s comments indicate insecurity, referring to the defender’s frequent mentions of his caps with Nigeria.
He added: “You are not really that secure yourself. Relax, Nigeria won; don’t talk about us, let us handle the media stuff, and you do your podcast.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Troy Deeney say about William Troost-Ekong?
Troy Deeney described William Troost-Ekong as ‘insecure’ and criticized him for being too gentle to serve as a national team captain.
How did Troost-Ekong respond to Deeney's comments?
Troost-Ekong requested Deeney to return the Nigerian shirt he had given him and accused him of disrespect for speaking to the media instead of contacting him directly.
What was Deeney's reaction to Troost-Ekong's claims of disrespect?
Deeney insisted that he was not being disrespectful and maintained that he owed no apology for his comments, stating that he was merely speaking the truth.
